BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
Starting next year, Georgian Kutaisi will begin production of electric vehicles, designed by Georgian designer Zviad Tsikolia with the inscription Made in Georgia, Trend reports referring to the Georgian media outlets.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Georgia's Aigroup and China's Changan Corporation, which has a track record of 157 years in the industry, in May 2019.
Aigroup is building an industrial complex on an area of 100 hectares in Kutaisi. After the commissioning, the complex will employ about 3,000 people.
Chairman of the company's board of directors Kakha Guledani said that work on plant construction had already begun on the territory of the old airport. It was decided to build an electric car manufacturing company in Kutaisi based on the traditions of local auto production.
"According to the project, the plant will produce four models of electric cars. Electric cars made in Georgia with the inscription Made in Georgia will become the main export product from Georgia to the markets of European countries," Guledani said.
Guledani noted that Kutaisi has the resources of specialists necessary for the project.
"In parallel with the production processes, we are going to open a technical college where young people will learn specialties in automotive manufacturing," Guledani said.
According to him, initially Chinese Changan models will be introduced into production, and the work on the electric car designed by Zviad Tsikolia will begin in parallel.
“Our cars will be adapted to local conditions and will be relatively easy to drive on Georgian roads. First, let’s launch EADO sedan and hatchback, the passability of which is 450 kilometers for a full charge, although, as a result of technological improvements, the capacity will grow every year," the chairman added.
"We also plan to produce a relatively small model of class “A” with a cross-country capacity of 250 kilometers and a new Benny model with a double engine and a reinforced battery. Furthermore, we are going to produce SUVs including CS55 EV Jeep and CS15 EV Jeep that can drive 600 kilometers on a single charge,“ said Guledani.
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